iPad 3G on T-Mobile (US) 3G?

Question

Level 2

190 points

iPad 3G on T-Mobile (US) 3G?

I know the iPad comes in AT&T 3G form but as I'm an existing T-Mobile customer and don't really want to switch or manage two accounts I'd be interested in using the iPad 3G on my existing T-Mo account and just adding data to support it...

So.. does the iPad support the required Band for T-Mo 3G, or just AT&T here in the US and drop back to GSM/Edge on T-Mo?

Also... travelling to UK and Australia will I get 3G coverage or drop back to GSM/EDGE?

Thanks in advance

12 G4 PB 867Mhz (Rev.A), iPhone OS 3.1.3

Posted on May 14, 2010 1:03 PM

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Answer 1

May 14, 2010 1:34 PM in response to Rufan-Redi

The iPad Data Plan is completely separate from any cell phone plan. Even an AT&T iphone customer has to sign up for a separate iPad Data Plan. The plans are prepaid monthly and charged to your credit card. Sign-up and cancellation are done via the iPad. The iPad does not have the proper frequency for T-Mobile 3G.

You can get an AT&T international data plan, but it would be cheaper to get a local data plan when they are announced after the iPad international release in May 28th.

Here are the details of the AT&T iPad data plans: http://www.att.com/shop/wireless/devices/ipad.jsp

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Answer 2

May 14, 2010 1:41 PM in response to Rufan-Redi

T-Mobile US 3G frequency is 1700 MHz.
This is NOT supported

T-Mobile GSM/Edge frequency is 1900 Mhz
This IS supported

European networks are ALL supported at this time

iPhone/iPad supported frequency ranges
UMTS/HSDPA (850, 1900, 2100 MHz)
GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)

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Answer 3

May 14, 2010 2:05 PM in response to Rufan-Redi

Rufan,

I think you think that the iPad 3G data plan is like all other mobile plans, where you get a bill and pay for it. It's an automatic billing to your credit card that you can manage from your iPad. It takes about a few minutes per month.

You'll get 3G coverage internationally. Beware of the cost however, it's pretty high if you're roaming.

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Answer 4

daddave2

Level 1

129 points

May 15, 2010 5:04 PM in response to OrangeMarlin

Huh?

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Answer 5

May 15, 2010 9:46 PM in response to Rufan-Redi

What kind of cell phone do you have now? If it supports wifi tethering, why not go that route? I just got a wifi iPad and when out and out I tether to my Treo Pro via wifi.

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Answer 6

stweath

Level 1

55 points

May 15, 2010 10:12 PM in response to daddave2

+..it's pretty high if you're roaming..+

Directed to OrangeMarlin, not daddave2

And using an AT&T SIM card instead of a local one.. The iPad 3G is network-unlocked, and the world is not necessarily US-centric. Believe it or not, those two thing together mean I may (for the moment) need to buy an iPad in the US, but it doesn't mean I have to use the AT&T SIM that came with it..

Of course you'll need to find a local service provider who offers pre-paid data (to avoid a contract), and a micro-SIM (or be willing to cut down a standard sized one).

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